LAGOS, JUNE 23 2015 (CISA) – Archbishop Alfred Martins of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, has called for the re-introduction of moral and religious education in Nigeria’s education curriculum.

In a press statement, Archbishop Martins said religious education is important to help stem the, “alarming rate of moral decadence in educational institutions and in Nigerian society,” as a whole, reported Catholic News Service.

The Archbishop called on the administration of President, Muhammadu Buhari to place emphasis on the religious and moral development of the country’s children in order to raise honest and God-fearing future leaders.

Commenting on the recent, Day of the African Child which is commemorated annually on June 16, Archbishop Martins noted that the yearly celebration was an opportunity for leaders and other stakeholders to reflect on the present-state of Nigerian children.

He added that much still needed to be done in order to safeguard the future of the country’s children who face numerous challenges including “juvenile delinquency, poverty, social inequality, a failed educational system, family problems and peer pressure” and urged all stakeholders to join hands in finding solutions to the challenges.

Archbishop Martins further called on government to take-over the welfare of the abandoned children and orphans now roaming the streets in some of Nigeria’s states, especially in the North-east region and ensure the children receive proper care and education so that, “they can mature into useful citizens who contribute to the growth and development of the country.

The Archbishop appealed to the nation’s children to always emulate the virtues of Jesus, who as a child was submissive to his parents at all times.